friends

Susie and David held a get together for friends on Bank Holiday Monday. The food was lovely and we christened their new garden feature, the pergola. I took along a pinata I had made, wanting to test the design out. Luckily the scarf used covers the participants faces!

I celebrated my birthday this weekend. On Friday Susie, Kim, Leanne and I went for breakfast at the Waffle House and I saw Daryl in the afternoon for coffee. On Saturday,my actual birthday we had a family meal at home. On Sunday my neighbours celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a party in their garden but the vagaries of the british weather struck. Sunshine, showers, wind, thunder and lightening we expect no less just hope for a little more! Congratulations Sue and Kim on 30 years together you are great hosts even in the face of adversity.

This article is written by my friend Kim, it's an account of her recent trip to Venice, very useful if you are thinking of planning a trip there. The train journey sounds painless and a bit of an adventure, especially if you are not keen on flying.

Chuck, my friend Angie's husband, organised a free all day live music event at the Six Bells Pub in St Michael's Street. Although it was breezy the sun shone and everyone there enjoyed all the different types of music. The bands that played were The Swan Vesta Social Club, The Runaway Boys, The Hornblower Brothers, Coracle, Dan Raza, The Harpenden Pipe Band, The Batford Band and last but not least Angie and Chuck. It marks the start of the St Albans Festival 21 June - 6 July.

I am happy to report, for those concerned, Leanne is on the mend after her knee surgery. I have included a photo of Leanne's knee but it's not for the squeamish, it has the appearance of a classic theatrical scar, so to soften the blow I have  used soft focus and included photos of puppies! Leanne (on crutches), Kim and I took the dogs for a walk, it has to be said all things considered, Leanne was very spritely on those crutches. Kim became slightly alarmed when Gus accidently fell in the water, but it proved he could swim!

Sunday was such a beautiful day, Ashley and I spent the afternoon sitting in a friends garden, he said it had the feeling of a secret garden because it felt secluded, even though it's in a busy part of town. I will let the pictures do the talking. On Wednesday Angie, my friend, and I are going to the Gardener's World Live exhibition at the NEC Birmingham, the tickets are part of the prize for the photograph of the caterpillars.  

We surprised Fred this morning with birthday cake, cards, bouquet and presents, It was a lovely way to spend a sunday morning with friends, coffee, cake and chat.

Another day trip to Brighton, this time a girls day out shopping and lunch. A day return ticket for 4 just £25, bargain. When we arrived in Brighton it was straight off the train down to the sea front and a beachside cafe for coffee, then some shopping and lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Met up with Alice briefly to give her an eighties retro black cotton beaded jumper, I bought it on Wednesday at St Albans market for £2, it had shoulder pads and I thought it was fab, Alice did too and tells me she is wearing it as a dress with gold boots!

Leanne and Rob had a get together to celebrate both their 25th wedding anniversary and farewell to their house in Waverley Road. It was good company and lovely food and the weather was a bonus.